After the constant hype of the Miami-Dade bond referendum, a recent informational meeting was held on Thursday, May 9th concerning the distribution of resources for all schools in Miami-Dade.

The 1.2 million dollar bond referendum that was approved in early November is said to be spent over a 6 to 7 year period, and will be repaid through property taxes over time. The proposed bond issue will have minimal impact on homeowners, however, because they will be phased in as the 1988 bond referendum is being phased out. This bond referendum will help renovate aging schools and provide improved technology, among other aspects.

Each school in Miami-Dade County is listed under several categories that organize the type of renovation or aid it will be receiving, and an approximation of when these changes will begin to occur. Among the many characters are ‘Renovation’, ‘Renovation with Replacement’, and the estimated renovation time per school.

Palmetto is currently listed under ‘Renovation’, meaning that some structures will be renovated, however, as for now, major renovations will not take place.

“I have only currently seen ‘Renovation’ plans for Palmetto,” media specialist Lorelee Manhaimer said. “Even though there has been talk about Palmetto possibly becoming “Renovation with Replacement”, as of now, plans have only been created for ‘Replacement.”

Responding to some concerns community members had, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, Miami- Dade county superintendent, promised not to repeat the mistakes from the unsuccessful 1988 school bond program that saw massive construction delays, and did not accomplish what was originally planned.

“I think the bond referendum will be a good way to update some of the older buildings in our school,” sophomore Jessica Schwartzman said.

The first issue of the bond, if approved, is expected in the summer of 2013 — $200 million. Carvalho has pledged the bulk of the work will be done in six to seven years. The school district has yet to publish an official timeline or budget for specific projects however.

Throughout the summer and the following school year, Palmetto will await news on whether or not we will be updated to a ‘Renovation with Replacement’ status. Only time will tell when and how large the renovations coming to Palmetto will be.